NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Six NHL teams play a role in playoffs; Bedard sweepstakes continues tonight; plus more

Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will surely get a curtain call tonight as he plays his last NHL game of his career at the United Center in Chicago (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Tonight’s the night Len as six NHL teams play a role how other teams could vie for a shot at clinching the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars.

#2 Len, the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will play his final NHL game tonight at the United Center in Chicago against the Philadelphia Flyers. Towes is at the the end of his eight year $84 million contract and will turn 35 later this month.

#3 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin will be a game time decision tonight due to an upper body injury. Ovechkin missed the last three games and is looking to play in this final regular season of the season. The Capitals host the New Jersey Devils tonight.

#4 Len how unbelievable is it that the Pittsburgh Penguins have made post season for the last 16 consecutive season but this season will be the first time in those 16 years that they failed to make post season.

#5 The Connor Bedard sweepstakes is coming down to the wire. Bedard with the Regina Pats and a projected No.1 draft pick might be decided tonight. The Columbus Blue Jackets with the worse percentage in the NHL at .356 two teams are runners up w the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks both with a .358 percentage.

Join Len through the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for analysis and the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ovechkin reaches NHL record 13th season scoring 40 goals; Brian Boyle joins NHL Network; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored his 40th goal for the 13th time in his career setting an NHL record surpassing previous record holder Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets in overtime 7-6 on Tue Mar 21, 2023. (photo by the Athletic)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin set an all time NHL record surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40 goal NHL seasons doing it for the 13th time. The Caps were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets when Ovechkin’s shot defected off the stick of the CBJ’s Nick Blankenburg at 5:12 in the first period on Tuesday night.

#2 Brian Boyle former NHL player will join NHL Network as a studio analyst, Boyle joins fellow studio analysts Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp on NHL tonight seen Thursday and Friday. Boyle will work the intermission reports this Saturday with Tony Luftman. Boyle said while he didn’t want stop playing the game he will look forward to talking about the game.

#3 Jared Bednar signed a three year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday the contract goes into effect next season through 2023-24. Bednar took over for former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy on Aug 25, 2016 and is 281-190-52 in 523 regular-season games.

#4 In an NHL Players Association Poll the Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby was voted the most complete player for the forth year in a row picking up 30.1 percent of the vote. Other NHL players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Andrei Vasilevekskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews were also winners in the poll.

#5 The San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has announced that forward Jacob Peterson has been recalled from their AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Peterson came to the Sharks from the Dallas Stars on Mar 3. Peterson has a career 66 games, 12 goals and five assists.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Preds Johansen out 12 weeks; Caps Ovechkin returns tonight; plus more

The Nashville Predators will miss 12 weeks following leg surgery from an injury from Tue 14, 2023 game against the Vancouver Canucks Quinn Hughes whose skate cut Johansen on the right leg. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Nashville Predators Ryan Johansen’s right leg got caught by the skate of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes which made contact on Johansen’s lower leg Tuesday night at 16:43 of the second period. Johansen had to be assisted off the ice. Johansen had to have surgery on the leg and will miss at least 12 weeks he could make it back for the first round of the playoffs.

#2 Alexander Ovechkin had missed the last five games with the Washington Capitals after his father Mikhail passed away at age 71 in Russia. Mikhail was a soccer player in his youth. Ovechkin is returning tonight in Anaheim against the Anaheim Ducks. Ovechkin said he looks forward to getting back to work. The Caps lost to the Ducks 4-2 on Thursday night for the Caps sixth straight loss.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks in a trade with the Ottawa Senators acquired defenseman Nikita Zaitsev . Ottawa received two draft picks from Chicago plus future defensemen considerations. Zaitsev has 108 points, 18 goals and 19 assists in 426 regular season games with the Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. Zaitsev has five assists in 28 games with Ottawa this season.

#4 Len, the New York Rangers are looking to bolster their roster some more, as you know they picked up Vladimir Tarasenko from the St Louis Blues on Feb 10th and now their in talks with the Chicago Blackhawks about acquiring Patrick Kane. Rangers general manager Chris Drury said “Never say never’ regarding acquiring Kane.

#5 New Jersey defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime here’s one team who is interested in Patrick Kane.

#5 The San Jose Sharks Timo Meier remains one of the top sought after players before the trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes are inquiring about Meier’s services with the Devils being the team who want a long term deal with Meier but the Canes have said that would not be a prerequisite with them. Meier is currently hurt with an upper body injury and has been out since the second period of Sat Feb 18th’s game against the Buffalo Sabers.

6. Edmonton Oilers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2 as the Oilers Conner McDavid scored two goals tonight with 109 points leading the NHL.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts Thursday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Vegas’ Stone to sit out for tonight’s game; Leafs Matthews possible for tonight’s game; plus more NHL News

The Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone is out with a upper body injury and will sit out for tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers (photo from NHL.com)

Check out Len on the NHL podcasts weekly:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone is listed as week to week with an upper body injury. Stone left at 10:42 in the first period against the Florida Panthers on Thursday as the Knights won it 4-2. Stone didn’t practice on Friday and will sit out tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.

#2 Len, the anticipated return of Austin Matthews has finally arrived, Matthews whose been out of the Toronto Maple Leafs line up has missed the last two games. Matthews has been out of the line up since last Sunday and is a maybe for Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins.

#3 Nick Leddy of the St Louis Blues is set to return on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Leddy a defenseman has 11 assists in 39 games. Leddy has missed the last four games with an upper body injury. Leddy did not play since last Thursday.

#4 Nathan Bastian of the New Jersey Devils could return Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Bastian a forward was injured against the Washington Capitals on Nov 26th. Bastian has eight points, three goals and five assists.

#5 The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Dallas Stars Jason Robertson, Tage Thompson Buffalo Sabers, and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals are up for being MVP the season isn’t over yet but these are some top candidates.

Len Shapiro filled in for Matt Harrington for the NHL podcast heard Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Letang expected to return to Pens in ten days; Leafs Engvall suspended for one game; plus more news

 Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang plays during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Boston. It was reported that Letang could return in ten days after suffering a stroke back on Nov 28, 2022 (AP News file)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang was told that he could go back to a normal life Thursday after ten days. LeTang had a stroke back on Nov 28th. Letang 35, was back at practice this week after missing four games and is on a day to day stick tap.

#2 The Toronto Blue Maples Leafs forward Pierre Engvall was suspended for one game for high sticking the Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi at 1:02 in the third period Thursday night it was assessed as a match penalty.

#3 Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored an empty netter against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night it was goal number 796 making Ovechkin four goals shy of 800. Ovechkin is now five goals short of reaching Gordie Howe who is second on the all time list with 801. Wayne Gretzky is number one with 894 goals.

#4 Matt, how bad does it have to get for the Colorado Avalanche as Nathan MacKinnon will miss four weeks of action due to a upper body injury. MacKinnon left in first period against the Philadelphia Flyers. MacKinnon winced and favored his left side before leaving the ice.

#5 The Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi has doubts about his ability to play in the NHL so far this season Puljujarvi has one goal, five assists in 26 games this season. Puljujarvi feels he’s gone down hill he had double hip surgery four years ago. Puljujarvi has ability if last season was any indication with 14 goals and 22 assists, and 36 points but this season has fallen off.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Whose the pressure on most MLB or the Players as both sides continue to meet today; plus more news

Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper going to the dugout after striking out against the Miami Marlins in file photo on Sat Oct 2, 2022 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. Harper is seriously considering joining the Japanese League if the lockout continues at length (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury:

#1 Amaury, Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Union negotiated until 2:30 AM this morning and agreed to meet again this morning. It was reported that there were gaps in some of the major issues and that some progress was made. This is the ninth day in a row of negotiations between both sides.

#2 Amaury update us on the two options the owners presented to the players on one of the major deals that looks like it can get worked out. A. 14 playoff teams, a minimum salary of around $700,000 and around $40 million in a bonus pool divided among the top pre-arbitration players. or B. 12 playoff teams, a minimum salary of around $675,000 and around $20 million in the pre-arbitration bonus pool. 

#3 Amaury, NHL announced that the NHL immediately has cut all ties with the Russian hockey leagues and any league affiliated with Russia because of the attacks and invasion on Ukraine. The league will cease doing business with any Russian league and freeze any new players coming to the NHL. The NHL currently has 50 Russian players who can stay on board with the their NHL teams.

#4 Amaury, It’s a very difficult time for the Russian players and their families who have been put in a rock and hard place. The Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin said that he hopes for peace and knows that this will be a long tried and true test for NHL Russian players and their families.

#5 Florida Marlins CEO Derek Jeter is stepping down from the top position and he also is giving up being a part owner as well, Jeter who came over from the New York Yankees after retiring to be CEO at the Marlins.

#6 Jeter’s first act of duty when took over as CEO in 2017 was to fire long time former Marlins players who worked in the front office, Andre Dawson, Tony Perez, Jeff Conine, and former manager Jack McKeon which were unpopular moves at the time.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Ovechkin addresses the war in Ukraine; Kyrou is the difference in the Blues win; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin addresses the media over questions regarding the Russian invasion into the Ukraine on Fri Feb 25, 2022 (photo from Russian Machine Never Breaks)

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin said that the war in Ukraine is hard for both countries and that Ovechkin said he has friends in both Russia and the Ukraine and said that he hopes for peace soon.

#2 The St Louis Blues were able to continue their six game win streak with a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Friday night. The Blues Jordan Kyrou scored twice to help St Louis get a two goal win.

#3 The Montreal Canadiens Andrew Hammond made 30 saves Sunday in his Habs debut against the New York Islanders in a 3-2 shootout win. Hammond gets the nod to start tonight against the Ottawa Senators. How big of a difference do you see Hammond making for the Canadiens?

#4 Montreal goaltender Carey Price whose been going through knee rehab since January is said to be making improvements but is not ready to hit the ice just yet. He had knee surgery back in July and his recovery was expected to be 10-12 weeks but is still in rehab.

#5 The New York Islanders Zdeno Charo broke the NHL record for games played by a defenseman he set the record at 1652 games surpassing Chris Chelios by one game.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Caps Ovechkin back in line up after missing practice; Leafs Marner and Engvall back after Covid protocols; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin who hasn’t missed a game this season was out from Friday’s practice due to an upper body injury and who started for the Caps today against the New York Islanders (NHL.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin is back he returned after missing practice Friday after suffering from an upper body injury. Ovechkin made it to Saturday morning’s skate and played against the New York Islanders in the afternoon. Ovechkin has not missed a game this season.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs Mitchell Marner and Pierre Engvall are both expected to return tonight against the St Louis Blues both missed three games due to Covid 19 protocols. The Leafs are glad to have them back in the line up Marner has 21 points and Engvall with ten points in 32 games.

#3 The Anaheim Ducks Troy Terry is a question mark for today’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Terry was out on Covid 19 protocols. The Ducks 19-14-7 second in the NHL Pacific.

#4 Aisha Visram made NHL history becoming the first woman to serve behind the bench in an NHL game as head trainer for the Los Angeles Kings. Visram got the call to serve after members of Kings staff were placed on Covid 19 protocols.

#5 Matt, the Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, the New York Rangers Adam Fox, and Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar were three of 18 first time All Star selections for Sat Feb 5th’s All Star game in Las Vegas. The trio has had themselves quite a first half.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Eichel expected back from surgery by Feb; Blackhawks win 3 in a row under new coach

Vegas Golden Knight Jack Eichel underwent successful disk surgery the Knights announced everything went as planned and expect Eichel to make his Knights debut by Feb 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 The Vegas Golden Knights announced that Jack Eichel to make his Vegas debut by mid Feb 2022 Eichel wanted to have disk surgery when played for the Buffalo Sabers but the Sabers wanted Eichel have a fusion procedure. Eichel elected to come to Vegas and get the surgery he was requesting the disk surgery that turned out to be a success.

#2 The Chicago Blackhawks (4-9-2) who had their share of problems with the David Aldrich sex scandal and the team had previously lost 11 out of 12 games now have won three straight games under new head coach Derek King. The Blackhawks since King has taken over are feeling good and much better about themselves and hoping their situation since the scandal can improve.

#3 Washington Capitals (8-2-4) star Alexander Ovechkin continues to set records scoring his 742nd goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets (8-4-0) on Friday night in the first period at 10:19 passing Brett Hull on the all time goals list moving into third place.

#4 Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames had doubts that he would be a stand out All Star hockey player when he first join the NHL back in 1999-98 but Iginla who won two Olympic medals will be inducted with five other NHL players into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Monday. Iginla scored 625 goals and has 675 assists during his career.

#5 Matt, Brandon Coburn has announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons. Coburn last played for the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders this season. Coburn played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and was the third person to lift the Stanley Cup after the Bolts won the Finals. Coburn started with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 and finishes with 49 goals and 185 assists.

Join Matt for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL games continued to be postponed due to Covid; Ovechkin moves into 7th on all time goal scoring list

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin moved past Mike Gartner on the all time NHL goal scoring list to seventh place on Thursday (file photo from hotsr.com)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Taking a look at some of the postponements in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild have shut down facilities and games due to Coronavirus concerns. Six players are on the NHL Covid-19 protocol list for the next four games and the Wild have their next four games postponed.

#2 Matt a total of 22 NHL games have now been postponed spanning 16 of the 24 NHL teams stateside. If the NHL wanted to get this season going without a hitch wouldn’t have been much safer with at least four bubble cities in Canada with no US travel to make this work or four bubbles in Arizona and Florida to make it work?

#3 The Arizona Coyotes and St Louis Blues will play their series at Enterprise Arena in St Louis on Sunday and Monday after a number of NHL games have been postponed. Arizona was supposed to have played the Wild on Saturday and Sunday and the Blues were suppose to play the Colorado Avalanche this weekend. The Avalanche postponed their games with the Blues because of Covid-19 protocols and the Aves have now postponed four games. The Aves and Wild’s games have been postponed through Feb 11th.

#4 Matt talk about the achievement of the Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin who scored on the New York Rangers on Thursday to move past Mike Gartner into seventh place on the all time goal scorers list.

#5 The San Jose Sharks were supposed to open their home season in Glendale but that was canceled when their opponents the Las Vegas Golden Knights had Covid-19 protocol issues. The Sharks have not played on game in San Jose yet but are scheduled to be there for their first home opener on Sat 13th.

Join Matt Harrington each Saturday night for the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Podcast with Matt Harrington Sat Feb 6, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud